READ READ READ 1

“If you are interested in reading, you could actually learn anything you wanted to know.”      - BEN CARSON 

If these words are true, then everyone should read.

This age is called The Information Age. Everything we do, in fact, life itself thrives on correct, healthy information. God says in Hosea 4:6 , “My people perish because they lack knowledge.” We all need knowledge to grow and to live.

Reading is one of the ways we learn and grow. There are many other ways; hearing, seeing, observing, etc. but reading remains the best and most effective means of learning.

 “I guarantee you that the NO 1 asset that you are going to bring to whatever it is you are going to do is reading. We, the human race, have not ever invented anything that can surpass reading as a way of learning.” - HISTORIAN STEPHEN E. AMBROSE

Reading means much more than looking at words that are written or printed and understanding their meaning.

Reading is feeding your mind with information that can affect it positively or negatively.

Reading is digging for information that you need to achieve a purpose.

Reading is stretching and developing your mind for maximum productivity

Reading is acquiring knowledge that can make or mar your destiny.

Reading is rubbing your mind with the mind of the writer of what you are reading.

Reading forms your habits, attitudes and character. It changes your mindset and charts the course to your future. Reading shows you the right way.

 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net

History has shown that great people are ardent learners.  
“I sleep in the midst of books. I breath knowledge.”  -    DR DAVID OYEDEPO

Eleanor Roosevelt was a first lady in the United States. She, unlike many presidents’ wife, did the unconventional. She performed more than the traditional ceremonial roles by getting involved in political and social matters, making positive impact.

She said, “Only through a book is it possible to explore the most fascinating things in the world - another person's mind. I had really only three assets: I was keenly interested, I accepted every challenge and every opportunity to learn more, and I had great energy and self- discipline. Example is the best lesson there is. I never let slip an opportunity to increase my knowledge of people and conditions. I considered reading essential if people are to reach greater intellectual attainments.”

In spite of her busy work schedule, she found time to read. She saw her travel time as an opportunity to catch up on her reading.

Her grandson, David Roosevelt wrote about her: “She never stopped trying to learn. Ever inquisitive and always curious, she never stopped learning from others: about people, events and life itself. In public as in private, my grandmother was forever a student of life.” No wonder, she is still one of the most admired women in the world.

Mother Theresa became a world figure by reading. She loved to read, and through her studies, she learned of the terrible poverty that the poor in India suffered. That   was how   she   started   her humanitarian work. Pat and Ruth Williams in their book, How to Be like Women of Influence, remarked that, “her constant effort to learn gave her greater depth and wisdom.” She was honored in 1979 with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

It is mere time wasting to read just for reading sake, especially as a writer. We deal in information and since we can't give what we don't have, reading is a must for us. Not just reading but purposeful reading. A writer must read to develop his thoughts. He must read to marry fresh ideas and information to the understanding he already has. Great writers are ardent readers. That's the only way to keep your writing fresh.
Out of the abundance of his knowledge, a writer writes.

Brian Tracy is a brilliant writer. He says, “One way to become an international expert in your chosen filed is to read 100 books on the subject."  

Reading a hundred books?

That’s a tough order, you may say, but I think Brian is only emphasizing how reading can expand the depth of your knowledge.

If you aspire to be an accomplished writer, you must Learn to Read and Read to Learn.

This article is culled from my book: READ- The Big Deal about Reading. 

Request a free PDF copy by sending me a mail. penparables@gmail.com

Grace is a Writer, Editor and Proofreader. She teaches Writing Classes and motivates young writers to write and publish their works. Her passion is to empower people through knowledge sharing. She is the initiator of the Christian WAR Forum.

For more helpful articles on Writing, visit her blog: http://www.penparables.blogspot.com

E-mail - penparables@gmail.com

©2012 PenParables

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